Switch.



W. W. DEAN.

SWITCH.

APPLICATION men FEB.18, 1913.

l ,255,0 Patented Jan. 29, 1918.

WILLIAM W. DEAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO

BENJAMIN ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A COR- PQRATION OF ILLINOIS.

SWITCH.

Specification (sf-Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 29, 1918.

Application filed February 18, 1913. Serial No. 749,135. 7

To all whom it may concern:

Be it knownthat I, VViLLIAM WV. DEAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful I mproven ents in Switches, of which the following'is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in electric switches which are capable of being positively operated without particular care or attention on the part of the operator.

In many, situations it is desirable to have a switch which is positive in its action and which at the same time'may be operated without taking the attention of the operator from other things'that he may be doing, In other places it is desired to'have a switch that is positive in its action regardless of at what point or from what direction the operating pressure is applied, or Whether operated'by the pressure of the whole hand or of the thumb-or finger. In other cases the switch may be covered and not exposed to view and 1t is necessary to operate 1t through some intervening material or fabr10.

In such cases it is desirable to have a switch that will respond to pressure regardless of how directly or indirectly it may be applied.

In my invention I have provided a switch especially adapted for all such uses, although it may be used for switching; purposes generally.

I have illustrated one embodiment of the inventionjn the accompanying drawings, in

which Figure 1 represents the switch applied to the steering wheel of a vehicle;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the spider arm ofthe steering wheel in crosssetitiou, such cross-section being taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional elevation taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

a fiber or insulating disk 11 forming a base or support for the electrical parts of'the switch. This base is secured in position by two screws 12 passing through the bottom at the casing 10 and threading into the said a se. a On the upper face of this disk or base 11 is mounted a flanged ring member 13, also preferably stamped from thin sheet brass and forming one of the cooperating contacts of the switch. This switch member is firmly secured concentrically of the base 11 by suit"- ablerivets 14 passing through the base and the flange or the ring 13, as indicated. I

Within the opening of the flange of this contact ring 13 and on the upper face of the base 11 is mounted and rigidlysecured a metallic disk 1-5, by two screws 16 passing. through the base and threading into the disk itself. This disk 15 is spaced apart from the flange of the'ring 13' so as to be insulated electrically therefrom. To the center of this 'disk' 15 is rigidly secured, by riveting'or otherwise, a stud or post 17 havingafla" head 18. A plate or disk 19 slightly larger in diameter than the ring 13 is mounted on this post 17, and a coil spring 20 surrounds this post between'the lower side of the plate 19 and the upper side of disk 15. The ten- .Sion of the spring tends to raise the plate 19 against the head of the post 1 the construction and arrangement beingsuch that normally the plate is held out of contact with the edge of the ring 13.- The opening. in the plate 19 is slightly larger in diameter than the post 17, to allow sufficient clearance so that the plate can readily move longitudinally on the post or tip slightly at an angle thereto.

This plate 19 forms the other cooperating contact of the switch, and, as just explained,

isso arranged as to be moved bodily toward the edge of the ring in response to pressure sidewise at any point toward said ring in response to pressure peripherally applied, and by peripherally I mean any pressure which is not central. In either case the contact will be brought into physical engagement or contactwith the edge of the ring 13, thus closing the switch contacts and thereby completing the electric circuit controlled by the said switch. The contacts shown are butt contacts, that is to say, when the contacts are closed the movable contact abuts against the stationary contact so that there is no frictional engagement between the contacts to oppose the separation of the contacts due to the action of the spring when H'ESSUFG on the operating member or button is released.

For the purpose of suitably operating said switch, I provide the same with a suitable "operating member or button consisting in the present instance of a cover or cap plate 21 secured to said plate by screws 22, which ap is preferably of hard rubber or other insulating material and is-provided with a depending flange at its edge fitting down over the edge of the casing 10. The outside of the cap is preferably oval, as shown, andif desired may be suitably chased or otherwise finished. central depression in the lower side of the cap affords a clearance for the head 18 the post 17 when said cap is pressed downwardly or tipped sidewise. forms a cover for the casing in which the operating members of the switch are contained and inclosed. The outward movement of the cap or button is limited by the head of the post 17. It is apparent that assure applied to this button or cap at any t and from any direction serves to operas a and close the switch contacts and that when such pressure is removed the spring 20 serves to return the button or cap to normal ion and open said contacts. When presoplied to the center of the button the s rectilinearly or bodily toward When peripheral pressure, that is, at any point about the center or .s of the button, is applied to the button 0 cap. the plate 19 finds a fulcrum on the 18 of the post 17 at a point diametriopposite the point of application of pressure, and this :tulcrum point is capable of shifting around the circumference of the head 18, the fulcrum point depending upon,

the point-of application of pressure. Irrespective of where pressure is applied to the bu fen, wl'icther the center or atany point around the of the button, the circuit is controlled through the medium of the cooperating contacts.

Furthermore, the button is rotatably mounted, so that in event the contact surfaces become fouled the button can be depre s l; ting one contact into engagement other, and then rotated, thereby e contacts together and cleansing sting surfaces to insure a good i connection. idicated in Figs. 4-. and the binding serves as a n'iedium for connecting one of the electric ronductors to the terminal or contact and the lug 24; extending from the through a suitable aperture or edge and flange of the ring 13, do the vothr conductor to be This cap thushand in all of these connected by a binding screw 26 to the other terminal or contact of the switch, the path for the current in the latter case being through the disk 15, spring 20 and post 17 to' the plate 19. After being connected to their respective terminals, the conductors may be brought out through an aperture in the edge of the casing 10, as indicated in Fig. 2 and Fig. '3.

While the invention as thus disclosed is capable of use for various purposes, it is particularly applicable to uses Where the operator may not be able for-various reasons to exercise care as to the particular manner of applying pressure or. force to operate the switch, or where he cannot conveniently do so without having his attention distracted from other matters to which it should be directed.

I have illustrated in Fig. 1 one use to which this form of switch is particularly adapted. In this figure a steering wheel 27 is shown with the switch mounted on one of the spider arms 28. The switch rests on. the top of the arm and aclasp 29 passes beneath the arm and is secured to the casing10 by means of screws 30, which when tightened clamp the switch firmly to the arm. A born or other signal is diagrammatically indicated at 31, and the circuit and source of current are likewise diagrammatically indicated. The switch is preferably located close to the rim of the wheel, whereby it is within reach of and may be readily operated by the thumb of the driver without causing him to release his grip upon the rim of the "wheel. This is particularly valuable in an emergency, whenthe driver may not have the time to let go of the rim and reach for the switch, or when he dare not release his grip on the steering wheel for that purpose.

When the driver of the vehicle Wishes to sound the alarm, he applies pressure to the cap of the switch in the most convenient manner. He may do this by hearing directly down upon it with the thumb or the hand, or he may press in an angular direction upon one point of it with the hand or with the thumb or linger, and he may use either vqays. In an emergency he may suddenly strixe the switch from a]- most any direction and with either hand. In all such ca ses the cap will respond, either by tipping or bodily moving downwardly, and thus close the switch and sound the alarm. The presence of heavy cumbersome gloves or mittens on the hands is no obstacle to the operation of the switch, since the operator is not required to locate a small button, as is common, and press upon it in a particularmanncr and direction in order to give an alarm.

It is apparent also from the foregoing that the switch may be conveniently and cheaply nanuihcturcd and installed, is

strong and durable, and is not liable to de-' and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention,what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an electric switch, the combination with cocperating switch contacts, one of said contacts being clrcular in form and the other adapted to be brought intoengagement with said circular contact at any point to close the electric circuit, of operating meansco'n- 2'0 ,nected with said contacts having a rectilinear and tilting movement and arranged to bring the contacts into engagement by either movement to close the electric circuit.

2. In an electric switch, the combination with a casing, of an insulating base within said casing, a ring contact mounted on said base, a cover for the casing, and a contactplate mounted on the inner side of the cover,

and yielding'supporting means for said plate and cover normally holding said plate out of contact with the edge ofthe' ing, and permitting the cover to move bodily toward the base or be tilted with respect thereto to press the plate by either movement into contact with the-edge of the ring to complete the electric circuit.

3. The combination with an insulating base, an annular contact mounted on said base, a binding-post for said contact, a sec- 40 0nd binding-post mounted on said insulating base, a movable contact arranged to engage said annular contact at any point around its circumference, and a coiled spring interposed between said contacts tending to separate the same, engaging said movable ccntact and electrically connecting the same with said second binding-post.

4. The combination with an inclosing casing, of an insulating base mounted within said casing, an annular contact mounted on said insulating base, .a binding-post for said contact, a second binding-post mounted on said base, a movable cover 'forsaid casing,

means for-preventing said cover frombeing entirely separated from said casing,.a contact plate mounted on the underside of said cover, and a coiled spring tending to separate said contact plate from said annular contact engaging said contact plate and elec 6o trically connecting the same with the second binding-post mounted on said base.

5. In an electric switch, the combination with a pair of spaced-apart contacts having annular contacting surfaces, one of said contacts being movable relatively to the other,

, ing' provided with an annular shoulder thereand a central fulcrum member for said movable contact, said movable contact having a rectilinear and tiltable movement and engaging the othcr contact by either of said movements. "7.0

6. In an-electric switch, the combination with an insulating base, of a contact on said base having-an annular contacting surface, a binding post forsaid contact, a movable contact substantially parallel with said first;

mentioned contact having an annular contact surface cocperatmg with the contact surface of the oppositecontact, a second binding-post on said base, and a coiled spring tending to maintain said contacts in substantial parallelism and electrically connecting said movable contact with said sec ond binding-post.

7. An electric switch comprising accusing, a contact-actuating member movable bodily toward said casing to contact-closing position by pressure applied at the center thereof andtiltable relatively to said casing by pressureappliedabout said center, and':co-.-

operating swltch' contacts in saidcasing I relatively movable into and out of electri cal; engagement at different points of said contactsin response to different movements of said member.-

8. In an'electric switch, the combination J5 with a cup-shaped contact member, of a flat contactmember having an annular contact-i ing surface, resilient means centrally dis pos ed tending to separate said members while permitting a relative rectilinear and tilting movement of the members to cause said contacts to engage, and means for preventing said members from becoming unduly separated.

9. In anelectr ic switch, the combination with a casing, of a cover thcre for overhangi-ng the edges of the casing, an insulating base in said casing, a contact member mounted on said base having an annular contact surface and a contact member mounted on said cover having an annular contact surface cocperating with the surface of'the contact mounted on the base,'resilient means tend ing to separate said cover from the casing while pern'iitting the cover to be moved toward the casing and the contacts engaged under the, influence of central or peripheral pressure, and meansfor preventing the co vcr from being. entirely .vsep'a'rate'd from the casing. r 1 f 10. Angelectric switch comprising a stationary and a movable member, the station ary member carrying a pair of terminals for the. switch, the movable member having a rectilinear and tiltable movement to operate the contacts of .theswitch,'one' of said members having a locking plate "provided with a centralopcning, the other member having av central post extending through said open "plied at its center I applied about its center, and

tending to separate said members. 1

11. In an electric switch, cooperating switch contacts, a contacbactuating member rectilinearly movable to contact-closing position by ,ressure applied at its center and tiltable y pressure applied about its center, and a fulcrum member on which the operating member t'ulcrums when tilted, the point of electrical contact, outside of and beyond the fulcrum member.

12. In an electrical switch, coiiperating circuit making and breaking" contacts, a contact-actuating member rectilinearly movable to iintact-closing position by pressure ap and tiltable by pressure a fulcrum member on which the contact controlling member fulerums when tilted, the location of the point of fulcrum depending upon the point of the application of pressure on the operating member, the contacts being radially outside the periphery of the fulcrum member. 13. An electric push buttoncomprising on engaging behind the plate and a spring terminals normally spaced apart, a case supporting; said terminals, said also comprising peripherally telescoping sections, yielding means normally holding said sections coaxial, means for preventing separation of said sections and for preventing telescoping movement beyond a predetermined point, said sections being relatively movable both axially and out of coaxial relation to bring said terminal members into circuit closing relation.

14. In a push button device, push button having an annular catch thereon, a stationary member having" an annular catch thereon, said catches being in engage.- ment throughout their peripheries, said skirt overhanging" the stationary member and said push-button, being rockable with respect to the stationary member about any point of said periphery, sprin means between said puslrbutton and mem er permitting the depression of the push-button, and a switch operated when said push-button is rocked down about any pointon the peripheries of the catches or depressed down.

15. In a circuit controller, the combination of a stationary member and a skirted movable member slidable and tiltable with reference thereto and having the skirt overhanging the margin thereof, guiding means controlling said movable member as it slides with respect to said stationary member, and a plurality of fulcrums about which said, movable member tilts with respect to said stationary member, and an electric switch controlled by said movable memberand operated by sliding 0r tilting said movable member with respect to said stationary member.

, 16. In a circuit controller, the combination of a stationary member and. a movable being radially a skirted member, a central bolt for connecting said members together, yielding means normally holding said members in spaced relation, said means permitlinq said movable member to be either rocked or slid with respect to said stationary member. and a switch operated by rocking or sliding? the movable member with respect to the stationary n'ieinber.

17. In a circuit controller, the combination of a stationary member and a movable member, means including a central bolt and a catch for connecting said members together, a spring between said members nor mally holding" said members in spaced relation to each other, said means permitting said movable member to be either rocked or slid with respect to said. stationary memher, and a switch operated by rocking or sliding the movable member with respect; to the stationary member.

18. In a circuit controller, the combination of a stationary member and a movable member, a switch having two contacts, one on each member, a perfori'ited late caried by one member, a bolt carried y the other extending loosely through said perforated plate and slidable therein, a catch member on one end of the bolt retaining it in position in said perforation, an abutment on the bolt, a spring between the abutment and the plate normally holding said members with the mutaets of the switch separated, said switch being closed when either of said members is either rocked or slid with respect to the other. i q

19. In a circuit controller, the combination of a stationary member and a movable member, an electric switch comprising a. pair of contacts, one of which is mounted on each of said members, means including a central bolt and a catch for slidably and rockably connecting said members together, and yielding; means between said members normally holding said contacts separated, said yielding means permitting the sliding and rocking of one of said members with respect to the, other to close the switch.

20. In a circuit controller, the combination of amovable member and a stationary member, a normally open switch comprising two contacts, one carried by each of said members, means including a central bolt, and. a catch for slidably and rockably connecting said members together, a spring normally holding said members in position with the switch open, said spring permitting one of said members to be either slid or rocked with respect to the other to close the switch,

21. An electric switch comprising asing, circuit connections in said casin centrally disposed switch member for corn trolling said circuit connections, and apronsure operated member marginally overhanging said casing and having a tiltable and rectilinear movement for operating said switch member.

22. In an electric switch, the combination with an insulating base, of a contact mountwhich permits the cap to be moved toward the base by a tilting or vertical movement.

23. A tipping push switch comprising a casing member, circuit-controlling elements inclosed thereby, a top or cover for said casing member having a tilting and rectilinear movement to operate said controlling elements to close the circuit and having a periphery overhanging the periphery of the casing member, and a mounting for said top or cover permitting the tilting of the same when the periphery is subjected at any point to a glancing or oblique side blow or pressure.

24;. A tipping push switch comprising a easing member, circuit-controlling elements inclosed thereby, a top or cover for said casing member, having a tilting and rectilinear movement to operate said controlling elements to close the circuit, said top or cover having its periphery overhanging the periphery of said'casing member and rovided with an outwardly extending sxirt sufliciently removed from the exterior Wall of said casing member to accommodatethe tilting of said top or cover, and a mounting for :-aid top or cover permitting the tilting of the same when the periphery is subjected at any point to a glancing or oblique side blow or pressure.

25. A tipping switch comprising a casing member, circuit-controlling elements inclosed thereby, a top or cover for said crs ing member having a universal tilting movement to operate said controlling elements to close the circuit and having a periphery overhanging the periphery of the casing membenfiand a mounting for said top or cover permitting the tilting of the same When the peripheryis subjected at any point to a glancin or oblique side blow or pressure.

26. A tipping switch comprising a casing member, circuit-controlling elements closed thereby, a top or cover therefor having a universal tilting movement to operate said controlling elements to close the circuit, said top or cover having its periphery overhanging the periphery of said casing member and provided with an outwardly extending skirt suil'iciently removed from the extcrior wall of said casing member to accommodate the tilting of said top or cover, and a mounting for said top or cover permit. ing the tilting of the same when the periphery is subjected at any point to a glancing or oblique side blow or pressure.

27. A tipping switch comprising a casing member, a stationary circuit contact arranged within said casingmember, a top or cover for said casing member having a u-niversal tilting movement and rotatable with respect to said stationary contact, a contact mounted on the under face of said top or cover for'engagement with said stationary contact for closing the circllit and arranged to be ground, by the rotation of said cover, against said stationary contact for cleaning the contact faces, and a mounting for said top or cover permitting the tilting and rotation of the same. 1

28. A tipping top switch comprising a casing, circuit controlling elements inclosed by said casing, the width of the casing be ing greater than the element inclosing depth then-c .1 tipping top or cover for said casing having its hand engaging portion above the casing and of substantially the same or greater width, and a mounting for said top or COVGI. permitting the tipping of' the same, when struck by the hand, to operate said circuit controlling elements.

29. A tipping push top switch comprising a casing, circuit controlling elements inclosed by said casing, the width of the easing being greater than its element inclosing depth, a tipping and rectilinear movable top orcover for said casing having its hand engaging portion above the casing and of substantially the same or greater width, and a mounting for said top or cover permitting the tipping and rectilinear movement of the same, when struck by the hand, to operate said circuit controlling elements. I i

30. In an electricswitch, a pair ofcoling portions, one ofwhich is mounted in a stationary position, a depressible and tiltable overhanging button on which the other member is mounted and which finds a ful crum with respect to the other member when the button is tilted irrespective of where tilting pressure is applied,co6perating switch contacts controlled by said button, and means for restoring the button to its inactive position when pressure thereon is relieved.

31. Av tipping switch comprising a stationary contact, a contact-actuating member having .a universal tilting movement with respect to said stationary contact and rotatable with respect to said stationary contact, a contact mounted on the under surface of said actuating member for engagement with cuit when the actuating member is operated mwpm and arranged to be ground against said stascribed by name in the presence of twa Wit tionary (mutant by the rotation of said m0vnesses.

able member to clean. the Contact surfaces,

and a. mounting for said movable member permitting saidv universal tilting movement and therotatien of the same.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto sub WILLIAM N DEAN. Wit messes:

C, E. ,KANIQ ANNE SOLOMON. 

